UK Government Scraps Mandatory Worker Digital IDs After Record Petition

The UK government has reversed its plans to mandate digital identity (digital ID) documents for workers. This notable policy reversal comes after a public petition against the plan gained almost three million signatures, as the change follows strong public backlash, political criticism, and concerns about privacy.

Announced in September 2025, the initial plan was for Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government to introduce a digital ID card (sometimes called the BritCard). It would be stored on a smartphone and prove someone’s legal right to work in the UK. The government argued it would help stop illegal work and make public services run more smoothly.

However, the mandatory requirement has now been dropped, which means workers will not be forced to get a specific government digital ID to find or keep a job. Employers will still need to verify the right to work digitally, but individuals can use standard documents like passports, visas, biometric permits, or other approved ID instead of a single, government-run digital ID.